The Cooperative Department of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has launched both regular and surprise monitoring of cooperatives operating within its jurisdiction. The monitoring began in mid-March under the leadership of Namraj Dhakal, Chief of KMC’s Cooperative Department and coordinator of the monitoring team.

So far, the team has inspected 10 cooperatives. Mayor Balen Shah stated that the city aims to monitor a total of 40 cooperatives this time. The monitoring is based on 56 indicators developed by the department. The team consists of elected representatives, municipal staff, financial analysts, and cooperative campaigners.

Coordinator Dhakal informed that the department has classified cooperatives into three categories for this monitoring effort. Priority has been given to cooperatives that have received public complaints or have investments exceeding Rs 250 million.

KMC formed the monitoring committee in line with Section 79 and Section 196 of the KMC Cooperative Act, 2074, and Section 30(2) of the Supervision, Inspection, and Monitoring Guidelines for Savings and Credit Cooperatives, 2077, issued by the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation. The committee works in coordination with ward-level offices to ensure comprehensive oversight based on set indicators.

Financial analysts, consultants, and subject experts have been assisting the monitoring team in assessing cooperative activities. The team will submit a detailed report following each inspection.

As of now, KMC oversees 1,917 registered cooperatives. Among them, 750 have updated their annual general meeting records for Fiscal Year 2023/24 (2080/81). Additionally, 1,748 cooperatives are listed in the Cooperative and Poverty-Related Integrated Management Information System (COPOMIS). KMC has officially declared two cooperatives as problematic.

The Chief Administrative Officer formed the monitoring team on March 7. Members include Kathmandu District Cooperative Association President Suman KC, Cooperative Department Branch Officer Narayan BK, and Accountant Dipendra KC. Hari Bahadur Magar, Chief of the Cooperative Regulation Division, serves as the member secretary. -- RSS